Remodeling Around the House–Landscaping

Not all the remodeling of a home is done inside the basic four walls of the house. Developing the potential of the outside can be just as daunting a task as renovating the inside. In some ways, though, landscaping can be more quickly satisfying than remodeling, though it can also hold the promise of long-term benefits.

In some cases, the lawn to be developed is a “blank slate,” with nothing yet done and no plantings to consider. In other cases, there are often extensive plantings, whether natural or planned. Although the resident shrubs may not be the kind you would choose, you may be surprised to discover that this plant that was already here fits that little nook perfectly. In fact, if you have the option, it’s not a bad idea to give all the plants a full year before ripping anything out. Unless you’re absolutely sure that you want it out, wait to see how it looks in other seasons. Sometimes, what looks terrible during the winter may be worth leaving, for sake of its spring magnificence, and there may be something you can do to camouflage the plant during it’s less-attractive season.

Especially if you’re moving into a new area, check to see what plants are best-suited for the local climate. The native plants will probably be the most satisfying, since they should do the best. It may be worthwhile to use the native flora as the foundation for your landscaping plan, in case the imports don’t fare well. These days, most states have books that go through the native wildlife, and there are many on-line resources that can be a great help with this, as well.

Most homes have at least some yard to speak of, even if it’s an area small enough to mow with scissors. Some yards are small enough that any plantings have to be done in containers (also known as “container gardening”), but many homes have yards large enough that the landscaping is a major part of the real estate. Even those with very small yards may have enough space to accommodate some amount of patio or deck (of course, the deck may end up being the yard). Although the lawn and the house are two very different elements of a home, like the oceans and the continents of our planet, a patio or deck can serve as a bridge, a smooth transition tying the two together.

For the homeowner in the Washington, D.C. area, D.R. Hartman Construction, Inc. (DRHCI) may be the best option for designing and building a deck to complete your outside renovations. Granted, many homeowners are perfectly capable of building their own decks, but the thirty years of experience that DRHCI has in the field can only help, for as uneventful a project as possible. If you’re considering adding a new deck in Potomac, Maryland, contact D.R. Hartman Construction, Inc. for a no-obligation quote. The Bethesda-based contractor promises great customer service, a prompt work schedule, and a clean, safe work environment. With their commitment to customer satisfaction, you can’t go wrong with contacting them for a quote on your project.